Militants armed with machine guns and grenades launched coordinated attacks in southeastern Nigeria, targeting a prison in Owerri, Imo state, resulting in the escape of over 1800 inmates. The attacks, which also targeted police and military buildings, lasted for about two hours. Authorities are working to re-arrest the fleeing detainees. The Nigeria inspector general of police blamed the Eastern Security Network, a paramilitary wing of a secessionist movement, for the attacks. The ESN claims to protect the Igbo people from foreign armed invaders.

Heavily armed gunmen attacked a prison in Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria, potentially allowing an unknown number of the 1,500 inmates to escape. The attacks also targeted police and military buildings and occurred alongside other assaults on government buildings in the region. This violence follows a series of attacks that resulted in the deaths of a dozen Nigerian security officers. The Eastern Security Network, a paramilitary group, has been in conflict with government forces, while the leader of MASSOB, a secessionist group, denounced the violence and stated their commitment to non-violent action.

Heavily armed gunmen attacked a prison in Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria, potentially allowing an unknown number of the 1,500 inmates to escape. The assault, which lasted about two hours, also targeted police and military buildings. This follows a recent spate of violence in southeastern Nigeria, including the deaths of a dozen security officers. The Eastern Security Network, a paramilitary group, has been active in the region, though there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. Uchenna Madu of MASSOB condemned the violence, emphasizing a commitment to non-violent methods.

Heavily armed gunmen attacked a prison in Owerri, southeastern Nigeria, potentially allowing an unknown number of the 1,500 inmates to escape. The assault also targeted police and military buildings and coincided with attacks on other government buildings in Imo state. This violence follows recent attacks in the region, including the deaths of a dozen security officers. The Eastern Security Network, a paramilitary group, has been in conflict with government forces, while the MASSOB faction leader Uchenna Madu condemned the violence, advocating for non-violent methods.

Militants armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades attacked a prison in Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria, resulting in over 1,800 inmates escaping. The attacks targeted multiple police and military buildings and lasted about two hours. While 35 inmates remained, efforts are underway to re-arrest those who fled. The recent violence follows attacks that killed a dozen security officers in the region. The Eastern Security Network, a paramilitary wing of a secessionist movement, is blamed by the police inspector general but has not claimed responsibility.

Militants armed with machine guns and grenades launched coordinated attacks in southeastern Nigeria, targeting a prison in Owerri, Imo state, resulting in the escape of over 1800 inmates. The attacks, which also targeted police and military buildings, lasted for about two hours. Authorities are working to re-arrest the fleeing detainees. The Nigeria inspector general of police blamed the Eastern Security Network, a paramilitary wing of a secessionist movement, for the attacks. The ESN claims to protect the Igbo people from foreign armed invaders.

Militants armed with machine-guns and rocket-propelled grenades launched coordinated attacks in southeastern Nigeria, targeting a prison in Owerri, Imo state, resulting in the escape of over 1,800 inmates. The attacks also targeted police and military buildings. Authorities are working to re-arrest the escapees. The Nigeria inspector general of police blamed the Eastern Security Network, a paramilitary wing of a secessionist movement, for the attacks. The ESN claims to protect the Igbo people from foreign armed invaders.

Heavily armed gunmen attacked police, military buildings, and a prison in Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria, leading to a potential mass escape of inmates. The coordinated attacks, which lasted about two hours, are part of a recent surge in violence in southeastern Nigeria. The Eastern Security Network, a paramilitary wing of a secessionist movement, has been active in the region, though no group has claimed responsibility for the latest assault. Uchenna Madu, leader of a breakaway faction of another secessionist group, condemned the attack, advocating for non-violent struggle.

Ten foreign fishermen abducted by pirates in Gabon were rescued in Rivers State, Nigeria, after a $300,000 ransom was paid. The hostages, including six Chinese, three Indonesians, and one Gabonese, were kidnapped on February 7. Kidnapping for ransom is increasingly common in Nigeria, with recent incidents involving schoolgirls and schoolboys. Nigerian security forces are investigating the bandits, with a curfew and no-fly zone imposed in Zamfara State. Intelligence specialist Laith Alkhouri warns that paying ransoms fuels criminal activity and advises proactive measures to prevent hostage-taking.

Ten foreign fishermen abducted by pirates in Gabon were rescued in southern Nigeria after a $300,000 ransom was paid. The hostages, including six Chinese, three Indonesians, and one Gabonese, were released unharmed. Kidnapping for ransom is increasingly common in Nigeria, with recent abductions of schoolgirls and students. Nigerian security forces are investigating the bandits, with a curfew and no-fly zone imposed in Zamfara state. Intelligence specialist Laith Alkhouri warns that paying ransoms fuels criminal activity and urges proactive measures to prevent hostage-taking.

Ten foreign fishermen abducted by pirates in February were released in southern Nigeria after a $300,000 ransom was paid. The victims, including six Chinese, three Indonesians, and one Gabonese, were freed unharmed. Kidnapping for ransom is a growing issue in Nigeria, with recent incidents involving schoolgirls and students. Nigerian security forces are investigating and taking measures to combat these crimes. Experts warn that paying ransoms fuels further criminal activities and advocate for proactive prevention strategies.

Ten foreign fishermen abducted by pirates off the coast of Gabon were rescued in southern Nigeria after a $300,000 ransom was paid. The victims, including six Chinese, three Indonesians, and one Gabonese, were released unharmed. Kidnapping for ransom is a growing issue in Nigeria, with recent incidents involving schoolgirls and students. Nigerian security forces and intelligence agencies are investigating the bandits responsible. Experts warn that paying ransoms fuels further criminal activities and advocate for proactive measures to prevent such attacks.

Ten foreigners abducted by pirates last month were rescued in southern Nigeria after Nigerian mediators paid a $300,000 ransom. The hostages, including six Chinese nationals, three Indonesians, and a Gabonese, were kidnapped off the coast of Gabon. Kidnapping for ransom is a growing issue in Nigeria, with recent incidents involving schoolgirls and students. The government is investigating and taking measures to address the problem. Paying ransoms is criticized for fueling criminal activities, and experts call for proactive measures to prevent such attacks.

Ten foreigners abducted by pirates were rescued in southern Nigeria after a $300,000 ransom was paid. The hostages, including six Chinese, three Indonesians, and a Gabonese, were kidnapped off the coast of Gabon. Kidnapping for ransom is a growing issue in Nigeria, with recent incidents involving schoolgirls and students. Security measures, including curfews and no-fly zones, have been implemented in affected areas. Experts warn that paying ransoms fuels criminal activities and advocate for proactive measures to prevent such attacks.

Ten foreign fishermen abducted by pirates last month were rescued in southern Nigeria after a $300,000 ransom was paid. The hostages, including six Chinese, three Indonesians, and a Gabonese, were released unharmed. Kidnapping for ransom is a growing issue in Nigeria, with recent incidents involving schoolgirls and students. Security measures, including curfews and no-fly zones, have been implemented in affected areas. Experts warn that paying ransoms fuels criminal activities and advocate for proactive measures to prevent such incidents.

Ten foreigners abducted by pirates last month were rescued in southern Nigeria after a $300,000 ransom was paid. The hostages, including six Chinese nationals, three Indonesians, and a Gabonese, were kidnapped off the coast of Gabon. Kidnapping for ransom is a growing issue in Nigeria, with recent incidents involving schoolgirls and students. Nigerian security forces are investigating the bandits responsible, and measures such as curfews and no-fly zones have been implemented. Experts warn that paying ransoms fuels further criminal activities and advocate for proactive measures to prevent such attacks.

Ten foreigners abducted by pirates last month were rescued in southern Nigeria after a $300,000 ransom was paid. The hostages, including six Chinese nationals, three Indonesians, and a Gabonese, were released unharmed. Kidnapping for ransom is a growing issue in Nigeria, with recent abductions of schoolgirls and students highlighting the problem. The government is investigating and taking measures to address the situation, including imposing a curfew and no-fly zone in Zamfara state. Experts warn that paying ransoms fuels criminal activities and advocate for proactive measures to prevent such incidents.

Ten foreigners abducted by pirates were rescued in southern Nigeria after a $300,000 ransom was paid. The hostages, including six Chinese, three Indonesians, and a Gabonese, were kidnapped off Gabon's coast. Kidnapping for ransom is a growing issue in Nigeria, with recent abductions of schoolgirls and students highlighting the problem. Security forces and intelligence agencies are working to address the situation, with experts warning against paying ransoms as it fuels further criminal activities.

Women in southern Nigeria protested in Port Harcourt against the deaths of several women in hotel rooms, believed to be the work of a serial killer. Protesters, dressed in black, demanded justice and greater protection for women, criticizing the police for not taking the investigations seriously and labeling victims as prostitutes. Activists claim up to 20 women have been killed, and protests will continue until security is restored. The state police have directed hotels to install CCTV cameras, and some suspects have been arrested, but the main culprit remains at large.

Nigeria is intensifying its fight against oil smuggling by focusing on foreign individuals involved in the illicit trade. Recently, an Indian vessel owner was sentenced, in absentia, to a lengthy prison term for allegedly carrying stolen crude oil. This move signifies Nigeria's commitment to addressing the rampant theft from its oil pipelines, particularly in the Niger Delta region. The issue has not only reduced the country's revenue but also deterred foreign investment in Africa's largest economy.

The Nigerian government, led by the minister of state for petroleum Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, is seeking to negotiate with the Niger Delta Avengers, a militant group responsible for significant disruptions in Nigeria's oil production. Despite a reported cease-fire, the group has denied such agreements on social media. Opinions are divided on the strategy of negotiation. Some activists and lawyers believe it could lead to further anarchy and incentivize other militant groups to seek government attention through violence. However, traditional leaders like Godspower Gbenekama advocate for dialogue over military action, citing the need for development in the impoverished Niger Delta region. The article also touches on the history of militancy in the area and the government's previous amnesty program, which is currently being phased out by President Muhammadu Buhari.